Manchester City are prepared to wait until the end of the season before bringing in cover for Fernandinho, according to a report.
The Citizens were left without a natural holding midfielder for a short period last month when the 33-year-old sat out a couple of Premier League games with a minor injury.
Fernandinho has since returned to action, but the shock defeats to Crystal Palace and Leicester City without the Brazilian in their side have only emphasised the importance of bringing in a replacement.
City have been linked with Ajax ace Frenkie de Jong, as well as Lyon duo Houssem Aouar and Tanguy Ndombele, though ESPN suggests that Pep Guardiola's men will not make a bid for any of those players this month.
Guardiola will instead rely on the current members of his squad, it is claimed, with a deep-lying midfielder taking priority for the summer transfer window.